'Oscars' for Mt. Diablo schools (Contra Costa Times)

By Julie Ross, correspondent
Contra Costa Times
June 11, 2008

Groups from 10 elementary schools in Contra Costa County, including five from the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, traveled to the Disneyland Hotel to be honored at the California Distinguished School awards ceremony.

In his congratulatory address at the May 16 awards banquet, Jack O'Connell, state Superintendent of Public Instruction said, "These are the Academy Awards for our public school system. Tonight we highlight our best performances."

Mt. Diablo schools honored include Strandwood and Valhalla in Pleasant Hill; Westwood in Concord; and Bancroft and Walnut Acres in Walnut Creek.

"When you find out, you scream," said Cynthia Goin, principal of Strandwood Elementary in Pleasant Hill. "It was phenomenal."

The awards ceremony was the culmination of schools' meeting strict eligibility criteria based on federal and state accountability measures.

The first step for schools eligible to apply is the completion of a multi-part application, including a 12-page document containing school data and a 23-page school narrative.

For Jennifer Vargas, principal of Westwood Elementary School in Concord, the most challenging part of completing the written application was tying the whole thing together.

"For me, it was similar to writing my master's thesis in a few weeks!" Vargas said. She also found the application process to be a rewarding learning experience.

"This is my third year at Westwood and telling the story of the time I've been here was easy. Telling the story of the incredible work done here for years gave me a deeper understanding of the Westwood climate, culture and community," she said.

Goin said Strandwood started on its application in October, and that the entire school community of teachers, parents and students was involved.

"The writing of the application is very specific, and the adult team put together responses to very detailed questions. There was great district support, and the community support was fantastic. It was a blood, sweat and tears process."

Vargas said that Westwood has increasing numbers of economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, and counts 10 special needs classes among its population.

"Westwood's staff is incredibly dedicated to students and families," she said. "One of the most special aspects of Westwood is its inclusive nature of children. Our families go above and beyond in all they do and are truly a part of what makes this school distinguished. When we say jump, they say how high!"

This year, of the 5,714 public elementary schools in California, 839 applied for the California Distinguished School Award. Of those, 343 were selected.

Applications for distinguished school honors are evaluated by teams of educators from across the state under the direction of the California Department of Education.

The highest-scoring schools are selected as statewide nominees, and each nominated school receives a site visit to validate the accuracy of the information presented in its application.

For Marji Calbeck, principal of Valhalla Elementary in Pleasant Hill, the validation visit was the highlight of the whole process, because "it was a time to shine and show off our school."

"When the team of four principals from other districts visited our campus, they all had wonderful comments about Valhalla," Calbeck said.

The validation team shared with the principal that they found the school's positive culture and community to be even stronger than stated in its application. The team is recommending that Valhalla be designated as a model school, to be visited and emulated by others.

"The validation team wanted us to know that what shines through is the dedication we bring to doing what is best for each of our students and a parent community that supports the school in all areas," Calbeck said.

"This award is a reflection of the true teamwork at this school. I know how special the Valhalla family is, but listening to others describe it was a new experience for me," she added.

"It was an incredible day from beginning to end," Calbeck said. "It was so validating to all of us that what we do make a difference for the kids."

And at Strandwood, Goin said the site visit was their students' time to shine. She said they had made paper ribbons describing what it meant to them to be a Distinguished School.

"The site team was impressed most by the student delegation who answered their questions about the school," she said. "(The team) was identifying everything we were doing that set us apart in the Distinguished School category."

At the awards ceremony, State Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, and chair of the Select Committee on Schools and Community, circulated among banquet guests, offering his congratulations to those from the winning schools.

"I applaud every student, teacher, parent and administrator involved in these great achievements," Torlakson said. "Thank you so much. As a teacher and coach myself, I know first-hand how much work goes into academic success.

"Classrooms come first," he said. "Classroom performance is essential to a competent workforce and a strong economy."

Elementary and secondary schools are recognized for distinguished school honors in alternate years. The Mt. Diablo district has 18 elementary and secondary schools currently eligible to fly the Distinguished School flag.

Roger Bylund, the district's assistant superintendent for elementary education, said the award-winning schools share some common characteristics.

"As with many of our schools, these schools are well-organized, purposeful and focused in their instruction," Bylund said. "They systematically meet the needs of all students. They believe that all students can be successful. They have outstanding teachers and support staffs as well as exemplary administrators.

"At the awards ceremony, the distinguished schools are appreciated and recognized by leaders throughout the state from many organizations, business, education and politics," Bylund continued. "I think the teachers, support staff, parents and administrators participating felt truly honored."